After clearing up the usual business with Jason—which included a solid ten minute pestering from him, asking me where I was—we were off the hook.
Bianca had vanished, most likely off to find Nico. Silena and Charles got distracted by something while Zoë and Phoebe disappeared in the direction of the archery field. Assuming that they didn't change the location, of course.
Lee and Michael left with their medical equipment while Malcolm locked himself in the library, not ready to face Camp.
The Commanders were having a meeting, so I waited for Victoria.
I sat in the living room's sofa, a holographic map of Camp. I was right to say the Gods magicked the space far larger than before. There were so many cabins. Some of the names, I recognised. The others, I didn't. The cabin that I said was without a symbol didn't have a God's name on it. It was just labelled as "Young Gods", whatever that meant.
Busy trying to memorise the place, it took Victoria a while to get my attention. It had been two hours. The meeting ended five minutes ago.
"Where you wanna go?" She asked, playing with kataigída's bowstring.
"Training Arena." Was my immediate response. "Shall we?"
From behind us, Jason called out, "can I go?"
Not looking back, I shouted, "no. Go away!"
I didn't need to look to know that Jason was pouting as Victoria tugged my hand, laughing as she dragged me out of the cabin.
I wanted to see the demigods train but when I got there, I really wasn't impressed by what I saw. Not at all.
"This is so... relaxed," I finally say.
Victoria snorted. "Relaxed? For you maybe. This is like 0.5 speed for the army."
"It is like ballroom dancing. A graceful but slow dance," I continued, watching as the demigods make mistake after mistake. But since it was my view, I said nothing. My way of fighting is to use both skill and power. I can't expect them to have water and earth powers at whim, can I? Different parentage, different powers, different fighting techniques.
"They won't like you saying that about them," Victoria muttered. "They have never liked whatever I did. Forever, they are determined to see me as the villain," I say softly. "What do you think the rest are doing?" Victoria asked, changing the subject. "I do not know. Catching up with their family members? I know Bianca is in a hurry to see Nico again, even though I have advised her against that many times."
"Oh?" Victoria turned to me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "And why would you say that?"
"You do not know Nico as I have, Victoria," I said, watching the demigods. The ones I have once known were not present, besides Piper who was there when we first arrived, Nico, who Chaos said is alive when Bianca asked, and Katie Gardner whom I spotted in the strawberry fields. Have they all died? Or have they been made Gods? Would their reactions be the same as Chiron's as he sees all his formerly dead students? Or will they be as nonchalant as Dionysus if he was still camp director? Gods don't change easily. Artemis included. I'm not prejudiced over her, despite the praises I sing of her. I know what you're thinking.
"Then tell me about him."
"Nico spent a year blaming me for Bianca's death because he couldn't bring himself to hate her for leaving," I say, watching the scene below. "He barely survived that. And it still took so long for him to truly get over it and make peace with her passing. If Bianca herself never asked him to let her go, I'm afraid he would've never stopped until he really brought her back."
"And?" Victoria watched me instead of the demigods with interest.
"Can you imagine how betrayed Nico would feel if he realizes that Bianca was alive all this time and never told him? He would be devastated. I don't know how much has changed, but knowing Nico, Camp would be destroyed if he unleashes his power."
Eventually, I got bored of just watching and invited Victoria to spar with me. She was tempted to refuse but gave in when I mentioned I would go finish an assassination I wanted to do if she didn't come.
We went to a training mat in the corner to not draw attention, not that it worked as some eyes followed, seeing as, unlike Victoria, I wasn't wearing training clothes.
I had long changed out of my sundress, and into a crop shirt and baggy jeans.
I should change into better fighting clothes, but I didn't bother. This was just a summoned outfit and it doesn't behave like any other clothes. It won't come off until I dispel it.
I summoned twin daggers and Victoria got her sword out, carefully placing her bow out of reach from any careless campers. It was the last gift from her mother, she treasured it to bits.
We lazily spared for a while, warming our bones. No one came rushing at us, demanding we return to our work. For once, it was just peace and quiet. I was just a demigod, training with my friend, facing a world where I thought monsters were those created by gods, and I could trust everyone who lived with me at Camp Half-Blood.
I smiled mirthlessly. Those were the days when I believed my allies were those I can trust not to betray me. Those days were over. My allies can't be trusted. We lived in a world where the person next door will throw you to the wolves as soon as you start letting your guard down. At least that's how it felt when they all forced me to the point I had to leave and take my chances out in the wild, with both the monsters and the hunters chasing me.
"Hey, hey," Victoria called out softly, making no hesitation to strike at my unprotected chest. I lunged back barely dodging a strike, almost not able to contain a swear, knowing how much Victoria hated them. If this was a war, I would've died. No distractions. I started to attack with more strength, pushing her back.
Smack!
That was for Andrius.
Slash!
Annabeth.
Clang!
Each hit reminded me of someone I wanted to forget. Leo, Piper, Grover, Thalia, Reyna, Lacy, Mitchell, Jake, Calypso, Clarisse, Chris, Travis and Conner, Sherman, Will, Austin, and so many more. They may not have been close friends, especially Sherman, but I knew them. And the fact that they were my allies but still betrayed me? It hurts. Even after so many centuries.
Despite telling him that he can't come, Jason appeared barely three hours later.
The demigods ceased in their activities to get a better look at the legendary leader of the Earth Sector. Whispers started to replace the sound of swords clashing. My eye ticked in annoyance and to compensate for it, I started attacking Victoria more viciously.
She bit her lip in concentration, dancing out of reach and parrying my attacks. She knew I needed to blow off some steam by wasting my stamina.
Jason should know that. He has seen our battles far too many times to be concerned. The demigods on the other hand, do not.
A lightning bolt came flying out of nowhere. Stopping my practice, I vapor traveled to the other side of the training room before quickly mustering up an earth wall to minimize the attack before the lightning bolt landed.
"Hey!" Victoria protested, straightening up from where she had tried to kick me only for her leg to go through a burst of water droplets. "I was going to win that!"
I raised an eyebrow at Jason, my hands on my hips as the dagger vanished. "Care to explain what was that?" My voice was a soft, alluring trill. It is the language of the Chaos Army. Most of us use regular english with each other but when around enemies of sort, we use the Chaon language to not be eavesdropped. Like now. Only through Chaos's blessing could we understand it. Even if we actively try to teach someone, they won't be able to understand. Trust me, I tried it with Artemis. Didn't work.
He shrugged, perfectly at ease for someone who just interrupted my training. "They were getting worried for dear Victoria." He bent his thumb discreetly at the gaggle of demigods surrounding him. "I needed you to stop before they actually filed for a complaint. Not a good impression, to be given a warning on your first day. It's not like on Chaon, Seph. Be careful."
As if I wasn't. "Tell them to go away and leave me to my business then."
He grinned, sharp and amused. "Technically, it's their arena."
"Jason! Are you on my side or not?!"
He held out his arms placatingly. "Your side. Always yours. It's just, it's the first day, Seph. Can you leave this for next week or something."
As much as I loathe to say this, he had a point. Teleporting back to Victoria, I let out a reluctant. "Fine, you win."
Jason was a good actor, performing his duties as a concerned colleague.
"Commander Victoria, are you alright?" He asked formally in english. Victoria's back straightened, posture poised, looking like the commander she was. "Perfectly, Commander Jason. It's fine, I'll deal with this." She said with a slight grimace. "You can go back to your duties. I don't need help" Jason nodded, giving me a 'take care' look before walking away. I think he was whistling a tune or something.
I tossed my hair back. "An idiot."
Victoria punched my side, knowing I felt only a tickle. "He is your commander, Seirína. You have every right to be annoyed at him, but you have to respect him." She must be talking about my tone.
But I treated everyone I love the same way. Jason was no exception.
I coughed. "As if. Back in my time, sweet Victoria, I didn't even respect the gods. And that was when I had just learned of the Greek World. I have progressed and am now the most feared assassin. If I don't respect the gods, why should I respect him? The son of Jupiter." I tutted, shaking my head. It's true, technically. I respect Jason as an individual. My cousin, my family.
What I do not respect him for is his parentage. Whoever has Zeus as a father can kiss my respect goodbye.
Flash that in my face, and I'll laugh.
Jason and I liked to joke about our parents. Bianca would join us. So would Zoë. We formed the 'bad parents' club but it was quickly dismantled after how popular it got.
That was when I noticed something weird. "Oh, great lords!" I groaned, just realizing not everyone had returned to their normal duties. I forgot our curious natures.
"Where is he when you need him?" I muttered to myself. I needed Luke to change back time a little. It was so annoying having to go back to Chaon to find my alchemist. I should've thought I would need some of her memory-changing potions. A big mistake on my part. It'll be harder considering we were on different planets. Time difference and all that.
There were murmurs, glares at me, loud accusations. Of how I shouldn't be enjoying Camp's hospitality if I was so disrespectful of the gods who created it. I was all but ready to leave. Luckily, or unluckily, Victoria is one heck of a planner. "Return back to your training, demigods. Her disrespect towards the gods isn't something for you to judge. Be grateful that she is fighting on our side."
"She's talking trash about our parents!" Someone yelled. I can respect their loyalty, but I was one second away from pulling out a throwing knife. Victoria glared at the direction of whoever said that, stating firmly, "The Chaos Army will deal with our warriors. Now go back to what you all were doing!" She didn't notice, but her persuasion power leaked out of her voice and everyone jumped to obey. I waited for them to leave. "I'm just gonna say it. I hate the gods."
"You have the right to say that, but not in front of them. When they find out they have a spy amongst them, the first one they will blame is you, Rín. And they will use your hatred towards the gods as an excuse. When that happens, either the earth sector stands firm or they are swayed. If the latter happens, what you and you-know-who did will be pointless and all that lost time will become for nothing." I hate that she has a point. "I got it. But still, I hate them. No excuses for that."
"I know, Angel. But you need to watch your language. What if it was something irreversible? You would hate yourself." Victoria added as gently as possible. I pinched her for the nickname.
"I know, Vicky." I grinned as she frowned, annoyed.
"C'mon." Victoria offered her hand and I teleported us out of the arena. Once we were out, a commotion was coming from near Thalia's tree. "New visitor?" Victoria wondered.
I stopped a rushing satyr. He reminded me of Grover... ugh! Stop it, Percy. Stop!
"What's going on there?" I asked as sweetly as possible, pointing at Thalia's tree. He frowned for a second, and in that second I wanted to tear his head from his body bare hand. But at last, he responded, "the lady is visiting after 20 years. Rumors have it that other gods will also be joining her. Something about a reunion? I'm not sure. I'm still young." He shrugged and went running off. Grrr...
I'll deal with the disrespect he showed to a Chaos commander later. I didn't care about it, but how dare he do that in front of Victoria.
Victoria frowned in thought, making this rather cute wrinkle in the middle of her forehead. "Wanna go check it out?"
"Sure," I shrugged. Hand in hand, we walked over. It reminded me of a normal camp day. No responsibilities. Just hanging out with a friend. I have a feeling I wouldn't be doing anything other than that for the coming days. I am many things, and I have changed, but the one thing I still am human. I am still human. And I still need friends.
Time skip
Of course. The one person who betrayed me the most is the first one I confront. Annabeth stood there, waving like some goddess, which she evidently is. Her blonde hair has grown to her waist, a perfect scene to paint with the forest at her back. Her perfect smile was so joyous it made my eyes hurt. She didn't wear a chiton thank god, instead wore a sleeveless white shirt and denim shorts. As I watched, she gladly took a rose from a Demeter'ss child and pinned it to her hair.
The one thing I saw that never changed even now was how she was talking to everyone. She was just like before, not ready to single out anyone. Instead, trying to bite off more than she can chew and talk to everyone at once. Victoria and I stayed at the back, watching the excitement slowly go down to a more manageable pace.
At last, after the crowds dispersed, most wearing cheery grins, did Annabeth spot us hiding out. I was half tempted to vapor travel away, but she's a goddess. Nowhere is safe besides beyond Earth, and that will require a goddess. A major goddess. Artemis was most definitely talking to Zoë or Bianca at the moment, or with some other huntress. Going to her means revealing she is the goddess who helped me and is giving me information about Olympus. That would be a very big no-no.
"The demigods told me about you," Annabeth started with this tiny smile that was both welcoming and curious. I was literally one second away from punching something. Instead, I commanded myself to smile in return. "You're the Chaos army, yes? And you have come to help us fight against Order. I thank you."
"Of course," I say, glad my voice was the cool, indifferent tone I used as an assassin instead of the tone that made me sound ready to break down in tears.
"You'll have to thank Chaos for it. Earth is so... polluted for my tastes." Victoria wrinkled her nose. "Uranus's air is so much fresher. Um, no offense though."
"The polluted air is the humans' fault." Annabeth lost her charming smile, looking sad. No doubt thinking of Pan. "The satyrs have tried hard to claim back Pan's land. But there's only a few of them and billions of humans." Guessed it.
"Commander Victoria is just very blunt. Pay no attention to her." I kicked Victoria's shin. She hissed under her breath.
"She is right though," Annabeth sighed. "I hope you enjoy your time here at our camp. Even though we are going to war."
"Of course, we will." I pasted on a smile, but my bitter tone didn't match the sunny grin.
"I have never heard of you, though. Annabeth Chase. The satyr that told us you had arrived didn't spare many details." Victoria said to cover up my bitterness. Why am I unraveling? This wasn't like me. Pull it together, Percy.
"If you have time, commander, perhaps we could formally introduce ourselves. Get to know each other a bit more. It would help our relationship between the camp and your army." Annabeth offered.
"Why not? Jason has all the preparations done. They will only need me when battle rises. We have time to burn." Annabeth's grey eyes glittered wildly and excitedly. "Jason Grace?"
"Have you heard of him?" Victoria asked shrewdly. "He was a friend of mine before he died. Hades said his soul was missing, but I never knew where he went."
"Then I'm sure you will be delighted to know he has thrived as the commander of the Earth sector. Speaking of which, I'm sure there will be more of your formally dead friends."
"Would you like to take this conversation someplace else, commander?" Annabeth cut in politely, seeing as we were standing around.
"Why not? Rín? Are you joining us?" This was genuine curiosity Victoria was sending me. Hmm, let me see. Should I spend the next couple of I don't know how long talking to my ex? Or should I go and do some assassinations on Earth? Hm...
"You go ahead. I have some... business to attend to." Victoria caught my drift. She frowned, showing she wasn't that supportive of my killing ways, but she understood it and told me to go. Another trait I love, no matter how much she disapproves of one's actions, she is always willing to do what is right.
I waved to her and vapor traveled away, Marílithos glittering like it never had. As if the darling also knows that we are on a different planet, one that I once called home. I smiled, twirling it a little.
Victoria POV
Annabeth seemed charming enough. That's what I would've thought if Percy didn't look so broken all the time. All because of Camp, and partially because of the goddess standing in front of me.
She had taken me deep into the forest and into a secret cave that had water trickling in from the sea and birds that flew away when we approached. "It is a beautiful place, rather secretive as well." I praised, not at all impressed.
"Thank you, commander," Annabeth said, sitting on a slab of stone. I remained standing. "How is Jason? And my friends?"
"I do not know your friends," I say carefully, trying hard not to reveal I knew more than I let on, "but the Earth sector is like one big family. Jason is a born leader, able to make difficult decisions and not afraid to break someone's trust to make his soldiers happy." I grimaced, thinking of Percy. I owed everything to her, thus I stood by her. Always. Despite her telling me it wasn't necessary. Even now, I refused to be swayed by Annabeth's friendliness.
"That doesn't sound entirely good." She was prudent, I gave her that.
"Some find it good, some find it bad. I suppose you'll have to ask the right people." I said with a well-thought shrug. The children of Athena always have a plan. I needed to be careful of what I said, did, and act. I envy Percy for her ring. Mostly her shapeshifting. She could be whoever she wanted and trick anyone. Even Chaos. Except me. I grow smug every time she fools everyone but me.
"You're right." Annabeth laughed tightly before smoothing out her shirt. "How silly of me. We were here to get to know each other, not talk about Jason and the others." She was right. And if I weren't friends with Percy, who I still look up to as a sister, mentor, and sometimes protector, I wouldn't bother. But I was curious as to how she fared after Percy left Earth.
"I'm Victoria," should I give her my surname? I hated it since it was my father's. My abusive father. I do not want it. But it is considered polite to introduce yourself with your full name. At least that's what stated in my book. (Again I ask my mother, why did you have to take on your husband's name?) "Victoria Megami Nkosi, commander of sector Uranus."
"Beautiful name, commander." Of course she would know what they mean.
"Victoria is fine," I said, cracking my knuckles.
"I'm Annabeth Chase, a former demigod and one of the seven who defeated Gaia and her Giant children. Now Goddess of Architect and Renewal."
"Renewal?" It sounded funny.
"It is what is in Fate's decree. It means of a cycle restarting. Or pick up from where one left off. I hope it means..." She trailed off.
What? That she and Percy can go back to what they once were as a couple? Sad to say, Annabeth, she already has a boyfriend.
"It means?" I prompt. Is that a normal human reaction?
"That my ex and I can still be friends."
"Your ex?"
"Her name is Percy." She said, throwing furtive glances around even though we both knew no one was there.
"That sounds familiar," I said in what I hoped was a thoughtful tone.
"If you've studied the History of us Demigods, you would've come across her name. She was... she is a legend. Everyone wanted to be her."
"Yet you sound rather upset," I say with a sympathetic smile.
"I am," Annabeth's voice broke, a lone tear falling down her cheeks that she didn't bother brushing away. "She is a legend. But she wouldn't have become a legend if not for what we did."
"We?"
"The camp. The gods. Me. Her friends. Everyone." Annabeth whispered. I was kinda confused why she would reveal so much to me, a stranger she met just an hour ago. Maybe because she knew I would eventually hear of it anyways and she needed someone to confide in. Sorry to say Annabeth, talking to me is a bad idea.
"What did you do?" I asked as gently as I could without revealing I was a second away from punching her. This is for Percy. I reminded myself. She never said it, but I knew she was so confused about why they would do it, and trust her brother over her.
"She had a brother. Andrius." She said rather than answer my question. "And he's a disgusting leech. Percy was a goddess in a human body. Beautiful, charming, smart, kind, talented. Had every boy drooling over her. Although she never knew," Annabeth laughed a little, no doubt thinking of the oblivious Percy. "Andrius wanted her. Lusted over her. Of course, she refused. Back then, the two of us were dating. She found the idea disgusting and repulsive. And I agreed." Then why did you kiss him? I nearly asked.
"The camp... we fell for his lies. See, all of us were jealous of Percy and her near-perfect life. We forgot about the struggles and sacrifices she made to get there."
"But you were her girlfriend. Why were you jealous?"
"I wasn't envious of her happiness. I knew how hard she worked for that. However, I was jealous of her love for both of her parents. Just like mine, her mortal parent remarried. But her stepfather loved her instantly. Unlike my stepmother who tried to ignore me from birth. Percy was placed under the spotlight and showered with love, even by Poseidon. Unlike me. I was disowned by Minerva for a while. My father and I had horrible arguments and he hurt me so much. When I visited her family, they loved me like their own and I was so envious that Percy got to experience that kind of love everyday. I guess I forgot about the life she had, the one with her abusive stepfather." I smiled bitterly. She wasn't the only one with an abusive father. But she wasn't cowardly like me. She did something rather than wait it out like I did.
"Jealousy is a green-eyed monster." I murmur, trying to remember all the human sayings.
"It is." Annabeth said sadly. "If only we remembered that. Andrius was angered by Percy's continued refusal and sought to punish her by turning her friends against her. We were foolish. It didn't take much to convince us that she was a spy. Especially when he… ah, another story for another time. So caught up, we never stopped to think it was impossible because of her fatal flaw, personal loyalty."
You should've. It would have saved Percy from heartbreak. But it also would've prevented her from meeting Luke. And she wouldn't have saved me.
I wasn't sure if it was a good thing or bad.
And what was the thing she said before she caught her slip?
"I wasn't excluded from this mess. I was the last straw. And it is a mistake I would never forgive myself for. I just wish that Percy would. That she would forgive me and we can start all over again, from scratch." Annabeth let out a sigh.
"You wish for her to forgive you after what you did?"
"I don't expect her to forgive me in an instant, nor do I believe she would. After all, I kissed her brother. But I do want her to listen to my side of the story. I want to see her one last time, see her move on. Say my apology. Mean it."
"She doesn't deserve such heartache." I say, glad to say it out loud. No one else in my sector would bother. And I wasn't close with the Earth sector. Percy didn't want to hear any pity towards her. How ironic the only person I could say it to is the person who dealt the most emotional pain to her.
"No. She doesn't. She deserves to be treated like a queen." Annabeth sighed. "I just hope wherever she is right now, she is happy."
"Right now? She's alive?"
"The event that I said took place exactly 880 years ago, next week," Annabeth told me slowly. As if reluctantly. "I don't know if she's alive but I hope she is. After all, I accepted immortality just in hope that I can see her again. Whether as Percy Jackson or as a reincarnated soul."
But right now, Percy isn't Percy Jackson, nor is she a reincarnated soul. She is Seirína, the assassin of the world.
"I hope you find her then."
"Thank you," Annabeth said. How we came to discussing Percy, I wasn't sure. But if Annabeth could talk to me, a stranger, about Percy, I had no doubt the Earth sector would have already heard about what happened.
Wherever you are, Sephie, get ready for some insane questioning.